Guide to Zanzibar

Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia by Chris and Susan McIntyre is the guidebook we chose for our recent trip to Zanzibar Island, off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa. This Brandt guidebook tells it all and was very helpful in planning our trip. We checked the recommendations for places to stay and eat and found them always to be right. The book guided us on what health precautions to take, which sites were most important to see, and how to just relax and enjoy this island in the Indian Ocean. This book has all the information you could need while planning or while visiting there. Be sure to take it with you.

Thanks JP for your kind words about my book. You - or anyone else reading this - might like to know I've written another new edition recently. The fifth edition of 'Zanzibar - the Bradt Travel Guide' was published in Jan 2003. It's been totally revised, and it's bigger and better than the last edition - well, naturally, I think it's better! But it's not just me. It's been well reviewed elsewhere too. Zanzibar is still a wonderful place, and I hope it continues to prosper.

Don't bother looking any further for a guide, Bradt outdoes them all. Zanzibar, while extremely laid-back and peaceful can be a bit complex, if only because it's on the other side of the planet (for 99% of the world, anyway). The author does a fantastic job of explaining the nuances, accurately rating and describing the various tourist facilities, and helping to acclimate the reader before arrival (He's also not too shy to review his own book, I see). I've had two Bradt guides, and each time I've purchased the same guide from another publisher....each time I've ended up discarding the other in favor of the Bradt. Don't waste your money....

I'm the author of this book! But there seems to be no space for editorial comment on this page. I have visited the islands of Zanzibar several times since the mid-1980s. Until recently, the greatest impression the islands made on me was the `un-spoiltness' of it all. This was mainly due to the local political situation and the efforts required by travellers just to reach Zanzibar. In 1985, for example, before the days of high-speed catamarans, the intending visitor had to contend with long and uncomfortable dhow-rides !! However, since then many new hotels have been built and the transport services from the mainland have definitely improved. More visitors come to Zanzibar now than ever before, but it's still only a trickle compared to some other tourist destinations in Africa. Although Zanzibar may have lost some of its isolation, many parts of the islands still retain their unique atmosphere of peace, charm and remoteness. It's always a pleasure to return to Zanzibar to write a new edition. Things have changed, but I'm pretty sure we've got most things in this new book. It's certainly larger than the last edition! I hope you enjoy Zanzibar.